Second speaker announced for upcoming QBR launch

The second speaker has been confirmed for the upcoming Q1 Quarterly Business Report launch event organised by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC).

Rachel Barlow (pictured), managing director of the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital Programme Company at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust will be joining the panel at the upcoming Q1 Quarterly Business Report launch event.

Rachel's career started in the NHS as a nurse in 1988 working in London specialising in critical care, vascular surgery and major trauma.

She has worked at Trust Board level since 2011 serving as a chief operating officer for nearly nine years with a responsibility for the delivery of hospital and community based clinical services.?

She is now the managing director of the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital Programme Company at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, leading a significant transformation programme to open the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital Programme which is part of the government 's New Hospital Programme and major projects portfolio.

Rachel 's is also the?executive lead for the Trust 's estates function, capital development, the green net zero sustainability portfolio and leads the Trust 's 'anchor institution ' work on social and economic regeneration with strategic partners.

Raj Kandola, director of External Affairs at GBBC, said: “We are delighted that Rachel will be joining the panel for our upcoming Quarterly Business Report launch event to discuss the exciting developments around the new Midland Metropolitan Building in Sandwell.

“Projects of this scale are going to be vital in driving economic growth across the region as we emerge from a period of economic uncertainty.

“It will be fascinating to hear from Rachel on how she leads an anchor institution in the West Midlands and the broader investment opportunities this will help to lock across Greater Birmingham and beyond. ”

Delegates in attendance at the event can expect to hear the results for the Q1 QBR survey followed by presentations on the theme of investment in Greater Birmingham from Rachel and fellow guest panellist, Carl Potter, principal and managing director of Avison Young.

Sponsored by Birmingham City University and now a well-established feature in the local business calendar, the quarterly event attracts a senior level audience for networking, discussion and intelligence sharing.

The QBR offers an up-to-date snapshot of the performance of the Greater Birmingham business community. As the flagship economic publication of the GBCC, it is the most comprehensive regular report of its kind in the city-region.

Underpinning the report is data gathered from quarterly surveys completed by businesses from across the Greater Birmingham area.

The event is free to attend and you can book your place here.